New Life for Survivors of Trafficking and Abuse

THAILAND – Perhaps nothing sparks our outcry for justice more than the plight of children trapped in sex trafficking. Once rescued, those kids desperately need a safe home, counseling and education. YOU are sending that type of fresh start to girls rescued from abuse and human trafficking in Thailand. Girls like Rainy.

Rainy* was born in a remote village high up in the mountains of northern Thailand as a member of the Hmong tribe. Her father passed away when Rainy was young, compounding the family’s vulnerable economic situation. Rainy’s mother decided to rent a shack on the property of a fruit orchard where she and her two youngest children could sometimes find work. Many other Hmong people had also moved to the area, creating a small but bustling village of day-laborers.

human trafficking

A Victim of Human Trafficking in Thailand

Near Rainy’s home, an elderly man called Uncle Dtom opened a bar. When Rainy was about 9 years old, Uncle Dtom told her that if her family ever had a need, he could give them money. She believed his kind offer and decided to go to him for help. But instead of helping her, Uncle Dtom took advantage of her trust and sexually abused her. He then gave her money and threatened that if she told anyone, he would never help her family financially again.

Each time Rainy needed money, she went to Uncle Dtom, and the abuse continued. When a teacher at Rainy’s school finally became aware of the situation, she immediately took Rainy and her mother to the police to file a report. Uncle Dtom was interrogated but denied the allegations. Before he could be arrested, he took his own life.

New Life Center Foundation for Victims

That’s when Rainy was referred to New Life Center Foundation, and through our partnership with that amazing organization, YOU were there to give Rainy the help she needed! Through NLCF, you provide safety, counseling, care and education to Rainy and so many girls like her, the victims of human trafficking in Thailand

When Rainy first arrived to NLCF, she was the youngest resident ever to enter their care, at just 10 years old. Her mother visited often, which helped Rainy adjust to her new home. Rainy quickly became known for her sweet and cooperative disposition.

Then, Rainy’s mother passed away. Rainy was devastated, and nearly quit school so that she could go back and live near her family. Knowing how that decision would affect Rainy’s opportunities in the future, the residential program manager worked closely with Rainy’s older siblings to convince her to stay and finish her counseling and education first—and she agreed.

Today, Rainy is thriving. Because of your support, she has found her smile again. The sound of her laugh as she returns from school each afternoon reminds all who hear it of the incredible power of fresh starts. Thank you for changing Rainy’s life!

*Name changed to protect identity

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? – Micah 6:8 NKJV

From the Field

Ready to Respond to Hurricane Laura in Louisiana

NATCHITOCHES, LA – Hurricane Laura has passed and Operation Blessing is on the ground in Louisiana. Our U.S. Disaster Relief team arrived in Natchitoches, LA, early in the morning on Thursday, August 27. Our team hunkered down as the storm passed over them, knocking out power in the area. We are coordinating with several local churches in anticipation of moving further south in the coming days. Equipped with our disaster response trailers and trucks full of supplies, Operation Blessing’s Disaster Relief team is ready to help disaster victims.

Assessing The Damage

Thank you for your prayers as we continue to assess the damage left by Hurricane Laura. To show your support for hurricane victims, please click here. Because of your generosity, we are able to respond to crises like Hurricane Laura whenever they arise.

Hurricane Laura Hits Gulf Coast as Category 4 Storm

Update 8/28 Operation Blessing assessment team is on the ground in Louisiana following Hurricane Laura and ready to bless victims with disaster relief and recovery. They’re prepared for tarping roofs, mucking flooded homes, removing fallen trees, and delivering vital supplies.

GULF COAST, U.S. – You have likely seen the headlines by now. Hurricane Laura hits land as a powerful, category 4 hurricane along the Gulf Coast. It made landfall early this morning bringing devastating storm surge, torrential rain, and powerful winds. It remains a strong category two storm as it moves north over land along the Texas/Louisiana border. Help disaster victims.

OB disaster relief team assessing damage and downed trees from Hurricane Laura.

Responding After Hurricane Laura Hits

Initial reports indicate extensive damage and many victims in need of help. Operation Blessing’s U.S. Disaster Relief Team has prepared to move into the area to provide assistance and relief for victims of Hurricane Laura. These survivors need YOU today.

Our convoy of disaster relief supplies and vehicles have pre-staged in Tennessee. They’re prepared to move out with recovery tools, food, water, cleaning supplies, and more. In addition, our disaster assessment team stands nearby in Louisiana and ready to enter into the disaster zone as soon as they can. They will find the best place to help Hurricane Laura victims, determine a base of operations, and reach out to local officials and churches.

Thank you for making it possible for Operation Blessing to respond in times of crisis and disaster. You are showing God’s love to those in need, like those who Hurricane Laura victims.

Find our latest updates for Hurricane Laura relief here.

Give a special gift today to help disaster victims in their time of need.

Preparing for Hurricane Laura Disaster Relief

UNITED STATES – Because YOU care, Operation Blessing stands ready to respond during times of disaster. Our U.S. Disaster Relief Team has been monitoring Hurricane Laura very closely as it barrels toward the Gulf Coast. Operation Blessing is communicating with local and state emergency officials, church partners, and members of the community as we prepare for the potential impacts of the storm. 

Hurricane Laura heading toward U.S. Gulf Coast.

Right now, we are deploying our disaster relief assessment team to pre-stage for this potential threat in nearby Tennessee. Once the storm has passed and needs have been determined, they will decide where and how we can best serve disaster victims.

Pre-Staged Ahead of Hurricane Laura

Thanks to your support, the assessment team has taken heavy equipment, a stake bed truck, construction trailers, and our mobile command center to the area. They also have emergency food and water, along with resources to protect against COVID-19 during the deployment like handwashing stations.

Convoy of Operation Blessing disaster relief vehicles heading toward Gulf Coast.

If you are in the projected path of the storm, we encourage you to be vigilant as you monitor the potential impact. You can visit this link to view the current path of the storms: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ 

Please stay tuned for updates and continue to join us in prayer for all those who may be potentially impacted. Thank you for your ongoing faithful support that makes these hurricane relief efforts possible.

Operation Blessing Ready to Respond to Storms in Gulf Coast

CHESAPEAKE, Va. – Operation Blessing is on the move and ready to respond to the tropical storm and hurricane threatening the Gulf Coast. Early in the morning on August 24, OB Disaster Relief staff readied the fleet for the drive to Bristol, TN. Our team packed trailers full of critical disaster relief items, such as food, water, and cleaning supplies. Because of the additional concerns due to the pandemic, additional supplies include handwashing stations, masks, and more.

Ready To Respond

Please keep OB Disaster Relief staff in your prayers as we prepare to respond to these deadly tropical storms. To show your support for disaster relief victims, visit ob.org/obdisaster. For updates on our response to the storms, check our website regularly. Because of you, we are able to respond whenever disasters arise. Thank you for your support.

You Restored His Vision and His Future

HAITI – Meet Jean, a hard-working and dedicated student. At 24 years old, he studies medicine at the University Chretien Haiti, is a capable translator (fluent in Spanish, English, and French), takes painting classes, and is learning to fix computers on the side. Not only that, this driven young man started his own t-shirt making business in order to support himself and pay for his school tuition.

Jean is working hard toward his dream of becoming an obstetrician, and for noble reasons. “In my home village there are many difficulties in childbirth,” Jean says. “The infant and mother mortality rate is very high. I want to make a difference to those mothers who cannot receive medical care.”

Childhood Eye Injury

Sadly, a childhood incident threatened to dim Jean’s bright future. Years ago, Jean and his brother got in a fight, as brothers do. But this time a needle, which had been in his brother’s hand, got stuck in Jean’s left eye. Despite two visits to the hospital, Jean was never actually examined by a doctor.

“I have been living with my eye injury and doing the best I can,” Jean said. “Presently, the problem has affected me quite a bit, it itches continually, I cannot see well, and in bright light it bothers me to see at all.” To make matters worse, in addition to the initial injury, Jean had developed cataracts in both eyes. “It’s difficult to live with,” he added.

Jean needed surgery on both eyes—surgery that he could not afford. His family are traditional farmers in Haiti, with few resources to obtain medical care. “My best hopes are that if I had a successful surgery, and everything were corrected, I would be free to help others with everything I can,” Jean said.

eye surgery in Haiti

Eye Surgery In Haiti

Thankfully for Jean, his story found the ears of Operation Blessing and a partner organization in Haiti. Together, and with your support, Jean was able to begin his progress towards healing following his eye surgery in Haiti.

Because of your kindness and love, Jean has had the eye surgery in Haiti that was needed. He has already had two surgeries, one on each eye, which have helped significantly. And he now awaits further treatment to fully restore his vision. “Now with the help I received from Operation Blessing, I feel better to continue my school,” Jean exclaimed. “Thank you for this opportunity… God bless you all who sacrifice yourselves to help people!”

You Helped Senior Citizen Trapped by Isaias

VIRGINIA – When Marsha was trapped by Isaias–which knocked a tree across her driveway–she knew just who to call. And you sent the disaster relief help she needed!

Tropical Storm Isaias Leaves Trail of Damage

The night before Tropical Storm Isaias tore through Virginia, Marsha, a senior from Suffolk, was up most of the night. She nervously kept her eyes fixed on the local news. She heard talk of tornadoes unexpectedly forming and she wanted to be prepared. But as the night wore on, she got too tired.

Finally, at about 4:30 am, Marsha reluctantly succumbed to a restless sleep. When she woke up a little later, she wasn’t prepared for what she saw. “I looked out and things were blowing like crazy. I’ve been through storms and hurricanes, but I’ve never seen it blow that hard,” Marsha said.

isaias relief virginia

Stuck at Home Needing Help

Thankfully, when the storm finally passed both Marsha and her house were safe. But it blew a tree across her driveway. Marsha lives by herself and never had to deal with a situation like this before. To make matters worse, she has an auto immune disease called polymyalgia rheumatica which makes her injury prone. One false move and she can be bed ridden for months. She also has non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma stage 4 and uses a cane to walk.

Marsha considers herself a tough woman and she does her best, but sometimes she loses her balance even with a cane. It’s hard for her to get around under normal circumstances but with a tree down in front of her door she felt trapped by Isaias.

“The whole day I wondered, ‘What do I do?’” Marsha said, “I got panicky. How am I going to get groceries?”

isaias relief Suffolk

Operation Blessing Sends Disaster Relief After Isaias

That’s when Marsha remembered Operation Blessing. She had heard about us because of our Snow Buddies response a couple years ago. That’s a program through which we help senior citizens get out of their houses when winter storms snow them in.

“I thought, ‘Oh, I bet they could help me,’” Marsha said, “So I called them up and it all happened so fast. I’m so grateful and so glad!”

We brought chainsaws to cut the tree into manageable pieces and a truck to haul it away. In a few short hours that tree was gone, and Marsha could get out of her house again.

Isaias tornado relief

Elderly Woman Helped by Operation Blessing

“If it weren’t for you, I don’t know how long I’d be in this house,” Marsha said, “I had all these feelings, but I didn’t know how to express them. You prayed with me and those feelings subsided. I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am.”

Thank you so much to the donors and sponsors of Operation Blessing who make it possible for us to help people just like Marsha in their time of need. It’s because of you that we’re able to help people all around the world, and right here in Virginia.

Caring For Beirut Explosion Victims

May Lee Melki moved to the United States from Lebanon just one week before the explosion in Beirut. She watched in horror as a city she has a heart for was devastated by this unforeseen crisis. May Lee’s family founded Heart for Lebanon in 2006. This organization was created to “move people from despair to hope and has always responded in times of crisis,” May Lee said. Operation Blessing is partnering with Heart For Lebanon to bring hope to families affected by this tragedy.

Now the organization is focusing on disaster relief for churches and places of worship in the epicenter of the explosion. Volunteers are clearing debris and fixing up these buildings to serve as shelters for those who have been displaced.

Hear May Lee discuss how Heart for Lebanon is caring for the Beirut community during their desperate time of need. Please keep the victims of the Beirut explosion in your prayers, and consider giving a special gift to help disaster victims today!

You Are Reaching Out to Beirut Explosion Victims

LEBANON – On Tuesday a seemingly normal day suddenly turned to tragedy. First smoke filled the sky in the port area of Beirut. As people began to take notice, an earth-shattering explosion erupted, producing a giant mushroom cloud.

People in neighboring nations could hear the intense blast, and it could be felt throughout much of Lebanon. As the dust settles, at least 157 people were killed and 5,000 injured. Officials estimate that approximately 300,000 residents are without homes as a result.

The source of the blast turned out to be 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate stored at the port without proper safety measures, and for now, seems to be accidental in nature.

Nonetheless, the explosion has traumatized a nation that was already teetering on the brink of financial collapse. And the port through which most of their imported food entered the country has been decimated.

The people of Lebanon desperately need our help. Thankfully, because of your faithful support, Operation Blessing quickly reached out to a partner organization that works in the nation of Lebanon to help those suffering after the Beirut explosion. We will be sending much-needed assistance to victims. Follow this story for upcoming details.

Please keep the victims of the Beirut explosion in your prayers, and consider giving a special gift to help disaster victims today!

Blessing Neighbors in the Wake of Isaias

VIRGINIA – You never really know when disaster might strike. Although Hurricane Isaias quickly faded to Tropical Storm Isaias, it still wreaked havoc as it raced up the East Coast. Spawning tornadoes, dangerous wind gusts, and flashfloods, it left at least 6 people dead between North Carolina and Delaware.

Isaias was the first storm to cause damage along the U.S. East Coast this hurricane season. One of the powerful tornadoes touched down right in OB’s backyard in Suffolk, VA, striking the downtown and Riverview areas. Thankfully, no one was significantly injured by this tornado.

Thanks to you, Operation Blessing stays prepared for this type of natural disaster. Each year, we stock our warehouses before hurricane seasons starts. When tropical disturbances hit anywhere along the East Coast or Gulf Coast, you make sure we can quickly respond with disaster relief for reeling victims.

Isaias home damage

Standing Strong with Victims of Isaias Tornado in Suffolk

Because of your compassion, we were able to go straight into action the same morning the tornado hit. Operation Blessing workers packed a truck with water and disaster relief kits—from our generous partner The Home Depot Foundation—for the hurting people of Suffolk.

And we thank you for being there for victims of disasters in their darkest times!

Update 8/7

With your support, Operation Blessing is also reaching with disaster relief supplies to Franklin, VA, Windsor, NC, and Philadelphia, PA. And we’re continuing to assess other areas that need might assistance.